Ski holidays in Val d'Isère, France

Val d’Isère is thought by many to be one top winter sports resorts in Europe. The sophisticated and charming village teamed with world class ski terrain attracts devoted ski, snowboard and party enthusiasts year after year. Being part of the Espace Killy ski area that boasts excellent snow records, Val d’Isère has smooth links to Tignes, making it an even more attractive holiday location.

Historically Val d'Isere has mainly been suited for intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders, but a new 2 year project starting in early 2015 aims to redevelop the Solaise area that’ll improve the terrain for beginners and families. New additions include a gondola with heated seats and Wi-Fi, a giant magic carpet, reduced slope gradient and a new day lodge.

Snow conditions in Val d’Isère

The snow conditions in Val d’Isère are difficult to beat, wherever you go. Even in bad snow years, Val d’Isère remains accessible in most places due to the high altitude. A big plus point is the fact that all runs back into the town stay open almost all of the time, because of how high the town is. The majority of the runs are above mid-mountain, ensuring long-term accessibility.

Val d’Isere’s snowmaking facility is the largest in Europe, the new 2 million Euro facility 'The Snow Factory' will provide guaranteed snow-cover from November until May. The artificial snow will play a key role in keeping the ski area in pristine condition even in a dry winter. The 650 snow cannons cover 40% of the ski area.

Val d'Isère ski resort

Val d'Isere is a lively town packed with bars, restaurants and upmarket shops. You won't have to go far to hear English voices as Val is full of chalets which, in turn, are full of Brits.

It's a great place to ski with 300km of slopes linking with Tignes and its glacier. Lifts fan out from the centre of town although many take the free bus to La Daille with its funicular offering swift access to Tignes. Buses between La Daille and Val d’Isere centre take 7 minutes, or it’s a 15 minute flat walk.

Skiing in Val d’Isère

The village of Val d’Isere sits at 1850m and the ski area peaks at 3350m on the Glacier Du Pissaillas. Together with Tignes there is a vast 300km of varied, world class pistes that attract holiday makers and seasoned skiers from all around the globe.

Intermediates will enjoy the extensive blue and red ski runs that span across Espace Killy; this ski area is perfect for cruising and clocking up the ski miles on the long wide pistes.

There's plenty of difficult terrain on offer (especially back into the centre of town, particularly the mogul-packed Face run) but equally lots for the whole family to discover and love.

Best ski runs in Tignes & Val d’Isère

The Espace Killy ski area has a huge selection of terrain for all abilities. Discover the best ski runs in Val d’Isere and Tignes here:

Ski accommodation in Val d’Isère

Accommodation in town is mostly traditional but there's a lot of new development near the lifts in the Solaise and Bellevarde areas, plus modern blocks at the base of La Daille. La Daille is where the majority of self-catering apartments are located.

There is a large selection of chalets located throughout the resort that cater for all budgets and group sizes, which is one of the reasons why Val d’Isere is so popular. Browse through Chalets in Val d’Isere.

Family skiing in Val d’Isère

Val d'Isere is an amazing ski destination and great for family ski holidays. It’s the perfect resort for an experienced family who can ski to a good standard as the ski area is massive.

The new developments on the Solaise mountain make the resort much better for beginners, there are better lift facilities, easier slopes and special lift passes perfect for those looking to learn to ski or snowboard.

Group ski holidays in Val d’isere

Val d’Isere is a large ski resort and is perfect for groups of all sizes. The large village includes a varied range of shops, restuarants and bars and the huge 300 km ski area has pistes for all abilities. Val d’Isere has one of the best apres ski scenes in Europe with excellent bars such as Folie Douce, Cocorics, The Morris Bar and Dick’s Tea Bar so there is plenty of places to choose from if your group enjoys winding down after a big day on the slopes.

There is a wide selection of accomodations for groups from budget self catered apartment and catered chalet hotels through to luxury resisdences and chalets.

Après-ski, restaurants and activities in Val d’Isère

Après ski is big, notably the Folie Douce at the top of the La Daille gondola with its live music, DJs and crowds in late afternoon, and Cocorico at the foot of the slopes in Val d'Isere.

Prices are expensive in this neck of the woods, but worth every penny. Val d’Isere is one of the top après spots in Europe with countless bars across the resort. Other notable hot spots include Dick's Tea Bar, The Morris Bar, Cocoricos, Petit Danois, The Underground and Bar La Rosee.

Transfer times to Val d’Isère

Lift pass prices in Val d’Isère

Espace Killy lift passes cost around 278 € for an adult for 6 days, and 226.60 € for a child/senior for 6 days. This lift pass includes access to Val d'isere and Tignes and one free enterance to the Aqua Leisure Centre.

There are 3 free lifts at the foot of the slopes for beginners so anyone new to skiing may not need a lift pass on the first or second day.

Free bus in Val d’Isère

There is a free bus that runs between La Daille – Val d’Isere centre – Le Fornet. The buses run regular between 7:35 am to 8:00 pm and then every 30 mins from 8:15 pm to 3:00 am.